Former five-star defensive end recruit Byron Cowart will transfer to the Maryland football team from junior college, the program announced on Wednesday.

Cowart was 247Sports' No. 3 prospect in the nation when he began his college career in 2015 at Auburn. But he struggled to earn playing time with the Tigers, entering in 26 games but accumulating just 15 tackles across three seasons. Cowart left the Tigers in September and briefly played at a junior college in Florida.

His addition represents a major defensive boost for the Terps after their defensive line struggled to generate pressure last season, finishing tied for 112th in the nation with 16 team sacks. Cowart is listed at 6-foot-3, 283 pounds, bringing a presence to the unit that was absent following 2016 sack leader Jesse Aniebonam's season-ending ankle injury.

Cornerback JC Jackson, who announced this month he would leave Maryland a year early for the 2018 NFL Draft, established the path Cowart is now taking. Jackson started as a highly touted recruit in Florida, began his college career elsewhere but ultimately transferred to the Terps from junior college.